Digital Scotland held an event in Alyth’s town square last week to help local people find out more about the rollout – and the benefits of fibre broadband.

During the event, members of the public were invited to climb aboard the Digital Scotland Fibre Showcase, a unique vehicle which features all of the equipment used in the rollout of fibre broadband.

It includes kit which is familiar to members of the public, like green street cabinets, and some of the things they don’t often see, such as how fibre-optic cables are ‘blown’ underground.

Sara Budge, programme director for Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB), said: “It’s great news that many residents and businesses in and around Alyth are now able to receive fibre broadband thanks to the programme, with more local coverage to follow.

“The difference that fibre broadband can make is amazing. Once signed up with a service provider, it will give much more flexibility whether it’s at work or in the home.

“I hope those who attended the event found it insightful and enjoyed visiting our showcase.”

'The benefits of a move to fibre'

A number of premises in Alyth are served by ‘exchange only’ lines, which run directly from a property to its local telephone exchange – bypassing the roadside cabinets that are vital to the fibre rollout.

Engineers have rearranged the existing network, laying new cables to reroute lines through extra roadside cabinets, to overcome this challenge.

Liz Mallinson, BT Scotland’s fibre broadband director, said: “Thousands of residents in Perth and Kinross now have the opportunity to access their best ever broadband speeds when they sign up with a service provider.

“Many local people are already enjoying the benefits and we’d urge others to consider the benefits of a move to a fibre service.

“There’s lots of competition out there and people may find they could be surfing at much higher speeds at a similar cost to their current service.”